Humidifier auxiliary drain pan
OwnerAlan C. Rimmerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An auxiliary drain pan for installation vertically below a humidifier. The pan has a base and a peripheral wall around the base and a single opening formed in the base adapted to form an anti-backflow connection with a conduit from the humidifier for directing liquid from the humidifier through the opening and a drainage connector, the anti-backflow connection preventing a reverse flow of liquid from the opening into the humidifier. The pan has a structure for supporting the base and having connecting features for connection with a vertical surface in an installed position, with the base secured in a substantially horizontal position in the installed position.
Claims15
A humidifier auxiliary drain pan for installation vertically below a humidifier, consisting of:
- a base;
- a continuous wall around a periphery of the auxiliary drain pan extending upwardly from the base to form a container having an open end;
- a single opening formed in the base, the opening having a drainage connector extending from the base opposite the wall for connecting with a drainage conduit;
- the opening adapted to receive a backflow preventer for forming an anti-backflow connection with a humidifier conduit extending from the humidifier for directing liquid from the humidifier through the opening and the drainage connector, the anti-backflow connection preventing a reverse flow of liquid from the drain conduit into the humidifier via the humidifier conduit;
- and
- a structure extending from the base for supporting the base, the structure having connection features for connection with a vertical surface in an installed position, the structure securing the base in a substantially horizontal position in the installed position.
A method for providing liquid overflow protection for a humidifier system, consisting of:
- positioning an auxiliary drain pan vertically below a humidifier, the auxiliary drain pan having a base, a continuous wall around a periphery of the auxiliary drain pan extending upwardly from the base to form a container having an open end and a single opening formed in the base;
- forming a fluid tight connection between the opening and a drainage conduit;
- and
- forming an anti-backflow connection between the opening and a conduit from the humidifier for directing liquid from the humidifier through the opening and into the drainage conduit, the anti-backflow connection preventing a reverse flow of liquid from the drain conduit from reaching the humidifier through the humidifier conduit.
A humidifier system for providing climate control to a space, consisting of:
- a humidifier;
- an auxiliary drain pan positioned vertically below the humidifier, the auxiliary drain pan comprising:
- a base;
- a continuous wall around a periphery of the auxiliary drain pan extending upwardly from the base to form a container having an open end;
- a single opening formed in the base, the opening having a drainage connector extending from the base opposite the wall for connecting with a drainage conduit;
- the opening adapted to receive a backflow preventer for forming an anti-backflow connection with a humidifier conduit extending from the humidifier for directing liquid from the humidifier through the opening and the drainage connector, the anti-backflow connection preventing a reverse flow of liquid from the drain conduit into the humidifier via the humidifier conduit;
- a liquid accumulation protector for removing electrical power to the humidifier when activated as a result of sensing an accumulation of liquid in the auxiliary drain pan;
- and
- a structure extending from the base for supporting the base, the structure having connection features for connection with a vertical surface in an installed position, the structure securing the base in a substantially horizontal position in the installed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.